Chapter 14: Chapter 12 - All Apologies

Adrian

I walk into the school library, the sound of the studs on my cleats heavily clacking against the granite floor and unintentionally making my presence known. Dammit, I completely forgot about my shoes in my bid to see her. There’s a reason these things are specifically designed for grass. I just hope an attendant doesn’t come rushing to kick me out because of the trail of dirt I’m probably leaving behind me.

Several heads spin in my direction in surprise as I make my way through, but none of them belong to the particular person I’m looking for. I guess it’s not everyday you see a soccer player in full uniform walking around this place. I for one have not set foot in here since freshman year so it takes me a while to situate myself.

I know she’s in here though. After our first scuffles surrounding her preferred hang out spot during our practice hours, she finally settled on the library. I couldn’t be happier knowing she is safe in here and wonder how it didn’t occur to me since the beginning.

“Hey, Adrian. Looking for something?”

I turn around to see a girl leaning against a bookcase, twirling her hair around suggestively with her finger and shooting me a seductive smile. At least, what she probably thinks is a seductive smile. It’s funny how her not so indirect offer might have appealed to me before, but now I have absolutely no interest in it.

Yeah. A pretty little blonde. Have you seen her?

“I’m looking for The Metamorphosis. Do you know where I can find it?” I ask instead.

Her face instantly transforms into a disgusted look and she scoffs at me. “Sorry, can’t help you there.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I answer and continue walking further into the library, even more determined to find the only real and meaningful thing in my life.

I make my way towards the study area and immediately smile when I spot her sitting at one of the desks. I’ve been waiting all day for this. I’ve been feeling off all morning with a headache and just the sight of her already makes me feel better. The table she’s sitting at has other people scattered about but thankfully the spot directly in front of her is unoccupied.

“Hey,” I greet her as I sit down in the empty chair.

She also looks at me surprised, probably wondering what I’m doing here as she checks her watch. But she also looks skeptical and angry, which is what I had been fearing all day.

“I’m sorry,” I immediately tell her.

She’s about to respond but someone sitting at the table shushes me. I turn around and notice everyone is busy studying and no one else is talking.

“Look, I know I freaked out this morning,” I tell her in a quiet voice. “I didn’t mean to.”

Another round of shushing immediately comes from the table and I roll my eyes. God, why do they have to be such sticklers? I just want to talk to my girl and apologize.

Sofia stifles a giggle and points to a sign above my head. I turn around to read it.

Quiet zone.

Great. I would ask her to come outside with me for a moment, but I have a feeling she’ll refuse. I also don’t want to interrupt her studying any more than I have to. I know it’s important for her to get good grades this semester and I don’t want her to see me as someone who might distract her from that. Hopefully, I can make this quick before she tells me to get lost. I reach for her pen and notebook, turning it towards a blank page at the back.

Me: I really am sorry, Sofia. The whole cop thing really threw me off and I didn’t like the way he was talking to you or implying things about us. But he was right - I shouldn’t have fallen asleep because it was dangerous to put you in that position. I know I should’ve handled it better. So I’m sorry. I feel like we took a big step last night, and this morning detracted from that. I’m hoping we can put it behind us and move forward?

I hand the notebook back towards her with the pen, really hoping she’ll give me another chance even though I just asked her for one yesterday. I can’t believe I already fucked this up with her so quickly. She must think I’m the biggest jackass.

She sighs and grabs the notebook to read what I wrote. She quickly grabs the pen and starts writing a response while I wait with bated breath for her answer. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have done this once we could have a normal conversation because the suspense is killing me. But I would’ve gone crazy thinking about this further during practice.

Sofia: Adrian, I’m not mad because of that. I’m the one who asked to stay. Yes, it was stupid and we shouldn’t have fallen asleep. It’s just the things you said and the lies with Nico and all that. Plus the fact that you’re so good at it is a little bit worrisome to be honest. I don’t know what the truth is anymore.

I take a deep breath. She’s right about everything she just said and I don’t blame her for feeling that way.

Me: I know, and I’m sorry. I hate the lies, too. I hate them so much. Yes, I lied to the cop and I lied to Nico but I’ve never lied to you and I don’t intend on doing so either. I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but I can’t think of another solution right now. PS - You shouldn’t think I’m so good at lying judging from my moronic cover story alone. I’m surprised Nico bought that.

Sofia: Yeah, you really dug a deeper hole than necessary with that. Now I guess we’re gonna have to come up with something else to tell my dad about the ticket. I wish it didn’t have to be this way either. Let’s just talk about it later, okay? You’re going to be late for practice.

Me: I’m already late, darling. I just really needed to see you. Yes, let’s talk about it more later at the house. Our spot? Last night was amazing and I want to go back to that, if you’ll have me. I promise I’ll make it up to you ;)

Sofia nods at me once she finishes reading my latest scribbling and I notice she’s blushing a bit. I immediately leave my seat and before I know it I’m leaning down on my knees before her. I grab her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing her knuckles.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

I really want to kiss her sweet mouth. I want to put her over my shoulder and drag this beautiful girl out of the library and onto the soccer pitch, telling everybody she’s mine. I really wish it could be that way.

But it can’t.

I’m already crossing the line by doing this, so I sadly let go of her hand and kiss her forehead before leaving the library and facing whatever punishment I get from Coach for being late. I’ll gladly take whatever it may be because those 15 minutes with her were absolutely worth it. Now I just have to wait five more hours until I can be completely alone with her again.

One step at a time, Adrian. One step at a time.

At exactly 10pm, I’m waiting on the couch in the TV room for her. Truth is, I’ve already been here a while as I couldn’t wait any longer. My headache got worse after practice and I couldn’t even do my homework when I tried. Maybe I’m just tired. The last day and a half has felt like a rollercoaster and I’ve had too much excitement and too many ups and downs. It’s like my body has finally caught up with me and now it’s heading towards shutdown.

“Hey, captain. Long time no see,” Sofia suddenly says behind me.

I look over at her and smile. It certainly feels that way. “Hey, beautiful girl.”

She laughs and suddenly throws herself at me, knocking us both over on the couch as I didn’t expect her to do that at all. She’s always been so reserved, and after seeing her at the library today I thought she would act somewhat distant with me. That’s obviously not the case here, so maybe I should stop trying to predict her reactions. She seems to have a mind of her own and continues to surprise me every day.

Sofia giggles once I’ve managed to straighten her and settle her on my lap. “You’re supposed to catch me when I do that, silly. Aren’t you supposed to be a big bad soccer player?” she teases me.

“Oh, right. I must have skipped that part in the manual,” I grin. “Wanna try again?”

“No, I’m right where I want to be now.” I think she might have said that too quickly because she looks embarrassed after she says it. “Sorry I’m a bit late. I was just trying to wrap up an assignment.”

“It’s okay, darling. You don’t have to apologize for doing homework. I know it’s important for you. Do you need to go finish it?” I ask fixing her hair behind her ear and trying not to show any hint of devastation at the prospect of her leaving me.

“No, I’m done now. No need for the puppy dog face.”

I chuckle at my obvious gaffe and end up tickling her ribs. I absolutely love when she’s playful like this.

“Adrian!” she giggles delightfully, squirming in my lap.

Her movement awakens a certain part of my anatomy and I’m suddenly moving in to kiss her neck. Her giggles turn into breathy sighs until I reach her mouth and taste her lips. My hands thread in her hair as I bring her closer to me and she gasps as I slip my tongue inside to find hers.

Her kisses are unreal. I’ve been dreaming about this since I fell asleep last night and it feels like it just gets better every time. It evokes something so deep in me and turns me on equally as much. It almost makes me feel delirious. I know I’ll have to be careful because I can easily see myself getting lost in her, trying to explore uncharted territory with her. Even now my body feels like it’s on fire and my excitement is becoming painfully obvious.

She pulls back from me and even moves down my lap towards my legs. She looks at me with full concern on her face as she studies my eyes. Well, this is embarrassing.

“Sofia, I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You’re just really –”

“You’re really hot, Adrian,” she interrupts me.

“Um, thanks?”

“No, well in that sense too. But you’re like hot, hot. As in you’re burning up,” she laughs.

“Oh, yeah. Well, I blame you for that, you know?”

She shakes her head chuckling and touches my forehead with the back of her hand, and then her own in comparison. She then touches the sides of my neck and then my forehead again.

“Yup, you’ve got a fever,” she confirms.

She looks like she’s about to get up, so I pull on her arm. “Where are you going?”

“To get you some Tylenol.”

“No, wait. I’m okay. Can’t we just go back to making out and pretending my body is just really warm?”

She laughs and kisses me on the lips. “Not until you lose the fever, stud. Now c’mon before it gets worse,” she says standing and pulling me up.

I reluctantly follow her back upstairs and into the kitchen, trying not to moan like a child the entire way. Stupid body! Why can’t it react like I want it to?

She reaches into one of the cabinets and takes out a bottle of Tylenol, then goes to the fridge and pulls out a water bottle for me.

I take the two pills she hands me and finish half the bottle. “Okay, all better. Can we go back to the TV room now?”

She looks at me with concern again. “Adrian, I think we better call a rain check.”

“What? Why? I swear I don’t feel that bad.”

“Well, you don’t look too good. Plus, if I also get sick it’s gonna look suspicious. Then again, maybe I already am, but I think it’s best not to risk it. You’ll probably feel better sleeping in your bed too.”

“Shit. I hadn’t thought about that. I definitely don’t want to get you sick.”

“Look, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just sleep it off and you’ll be better tomorrow. Maybe we can get back to making out on the couch then,” she winks at me.

I sigh deeply, really hating this turn of events. Will I ever catch a break? “You’re so wise sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?” she smiles at me.

“All the time, actually,” I correct myself. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

“Yeah. I’ll check on you in the morning. Save the puppy face until then.”

“Do I really do that?” I laugh.

“Like you really don’t know. Why do you think no one can ever say no to you?” she says amused.

“You just said no to me right now,” I argue. “I think you may have inflicted permanent damage,” I tell her faking hurt.

She rolls her eyes. “Well, that’s only because it’s for your own good! Now go get your butt in bed. I want you in top form tomorrow for our make out session.”

I smirk at her and give her a quick kiss on the forehead. “That’s hot, Sofia. I like when you order me around.”

She doesn’t say anything, but the small slap on my butt as I turn around to leave the kitchen tells me everything I need to know.